Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Christopher Herrick :: Bach: Orgelbüchlein / Christopher Herrick

Exemplary!

Mark Swinton | 10/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"J. S. Bach's "Little Organ Book" is among the most useful teaching tools that modern organists can access. A collection of forty-five chorale preludes, each about a minute or two in length, re-composed in his style, it offers an insight into Bach as tutor and improvisor. Each chorale is a wonderfully compact example of his style.Christopher Herrick plays the whole set, according to a liturgical framework, with marvellous clarity. His chosen instrument, though small, is perfect for the music, which is even further heightened by his choice of registration and his sensitive touch.The booklet describes the collection as "bewilderingly rich," and 70 minutes of it may seem too much to handle in one hearing, as each one is over almost as soon as it has begun: listening to this disc completely from beginning to end is rather like drinking a large glass of water by taking tiny sips at a time. I find it far better to play chorales in shorter sequences (one such sequence is suggested by the producers, enabling you to listen to the chorales as ordered in Bach's manuscript). Also, that there are forty-five tracks does make for a disadvantage if you are trying to select a particular chorale around the middle of the disc!Still, this is one of Hyperion's treasures- without any doubt. Beautifully presented, good for casual listeners, even better perhaps for students."